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This Qld beach town just dethroned Noosa as Australia’s best

Credit: Queensland Tourism Industry Council

Jessica O'Donnell Jessica O'Donnell
Noosa has officially been dethroned as Australia’s favourite town.

After claiming the title of best town to visit in 2025, the Sunshine Coast town has handed the title to another Queensland contender – one with postcard-worthy views and a very persuasive case for your next getaway. It’s just a little bit further north.

More than 12,000 of you voted in Australian Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, weighing in on the destinations, stays and experiences you love most. And when it came to your favourite Aussie town, there was a clear winner.

Australia’s best town is…

airlie beach
There is no shortage of beach walks to explore. (Credit: Getty)

Airlie Beach has officially been voted Australia’s best town to visit for 2026, edging out previous winners Noosa and Byron Bay for the top spot. 

Set on the mainland of Queensland’s Whitsundays region, this tropical town has long been the starting point for some of Australia’s most iconic escapes. With the Whitsunday Islands offshore and the Great Barrier Reef within reach, it has some fairly popular neighbours.

But Airlie isn’t just a gateway to Australia’s most renowned natural icon; our readers clearly know it’s a dreamy destination in its own right. From coastal walks to markets and restaurants that call for long lunches and sundowners aplenty, to rainforest and freshwater swimming holes that offer a dose of nature at its best.

Your guide to the best of Airlie Beach

airlie beach australis best town
No Airlie Beach itinerary is complete without a boat trip. (Credit: Tourism Queensland / Riptide Creative)

The temptation to head straight for the islands is understandable. Among the many things to do in Airlie Beach, a boat trip deserves a place near the top of your list.

Make a day of nearby Whitehaven Beach (winner of our Reader’s Choice best beach award for 2026), where bright white sand meets water in shifting shades of blue. Sailing trips offer a leisurely introduction to the islands, while high-speed adventures suit anyone who prefers a little wind in their hair. For a bigger splurge, a scenic flight is the best way to take in the region’s extraordinary geography. 

Come evening, turn your attention to Airlie Beach’s restaurants. At Eastwood’s Dining, South East Asian flavours share the billing with views across the water. Or book a table at Coral Sea Pavilion, where its headland setting makes a strong argument for arriving before dark.

There’s plenty of choice when deciding between Airlie Beach accommodation options, too, from camping and caravan parks to self-contained apartments and waterfront resorts. Families, couples and groups of friends can all find a base that suits their holiday budget.

For a stay with water views front and centre, Coral Sea Resort sits beside the Coral Sea Marina, with a 25-metre swimming pool and a private jetty. Just remember to leave the poolside lounger occasionally – there’s an award-winning town to explore, remember?

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

The runners-up for Australia’s best town

Noosa Australia's best beach runner up
Although Noosa lost the crown for 2026, it still made the runner’s up list (Credit: Tourism Queensland)

Airlie Beach may have claimed the crown, but the runners-up offer plenty of inspiration for your next escape. Last year’s winner, Noosa, still earned a place on the shortlist, alongside Byron Bay.

Fellow Queensland favourite Port Douglas also made the list, giving the Sunshine State three of the top five spots. Rounding out the line-up is Daylesford in Victoria, which also earned a runner-up nod for best wellness destination – proof that a coastal postcode isn’t a prerequisite for winning Australian Traveller readers over.

Find all the winners of Australian Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards here.

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Jessica O'Donnell
Jessica O’Donnell is Evergreen Editor at Australian Traveller. After nearly seven years in London, she returned to her hometown of Sydney with a fresh appreciation for the places and experiences on her doorstep. Previously Ecommerce Editor at Women’s Health UK, she’s also written for The Telegraph, The Times, Runner’s World and Cosmopolitan in the UK, as well as ELLE and Harper’s BAZAAR Australia. At Australian Traveller, she helps readers plan memorable Australian escapes, from coastal weekends to city stays. When she’s not writing or editing content, you’ll likely find her hunting down Sydney’s best dirty martini or adding to the ever-growing stack of books on her bedside table.
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Discover the remote Queensland lodgings bringing luxury to the outback

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    Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

    Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

    cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp
    Unwind in the ancient outback.

    About Rangelands Outback Camp

    Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

    Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

    Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

    Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

    Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

    aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent
    Soak in 360-degree views.

    Rangelands Outback Camp tours

    Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours.

    Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

    Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

    The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

    A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park, a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

    A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

    tour being led through Rangeland rifts
    Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

    Sleeping in luxury

    After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

    Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

    Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

    inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom
    Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

    Rangelands Outback Camp dining

    As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

    Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

    Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

    Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.